Awaiting expert review. This page covers safety or regulatory rules that change over time. It is kept out of search results until a qualified reviewer has checked it; the sources below are dated so you can verify each point.
Quick answer
Neonicotinoids, often shortened to neonics, are a class of insecticides made to mimic nicotine that disrupt how insect nerves send signals; imidacloprid, dinotefuran, acetamiprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam are the main ones in the United States.
They are used against termites, fleas, bed bugs and plant-sucking insects. Many are systemic, moving through a plant, and they are very toxic to honey bees.
Quick facts
The key facts about Neonicotinoids, with sources:
- First U.S. sales (imidacloprid)
- 1994 1
- How they work
- Mimic nicotine; bind to insect nerve receptors and disrupt signals 1
- Bees
- Imidacloprid is very toxic to honeybees and other beneficial insects 1
- In soil
- Imidacloprid can last months or years in soil 1
- California
- Outdoor non-farm uses on trees, turf and ornamentals limited to certified applicators since Jan 1, 2025 10
Key takeaways
- Neonicotinoids are synthetic insecticides that act like nicotine on insect nerves, and they bind better to insect nerves than to ours.
- In homes they show up in termite soil treatments, pet flea products, ant and cockroach baits and some bed bug sprays.
- Many are systemic: a plant takes them up and carries them into its leaves and flowers, which is where the bee concern comes from.
- The EPA has been reviewing five neonics since before 2020 and its own schedule listed final steps for 2025; check the docket for the latest status.
- California has limited outdoor non-farm use on trees, turf and ornamentals to certified applicators since January 1, 2025.
What neonicotinoids are
Nicotine is a natural insect poison made by tobacco plants. Neonicotinoids are man-made chemicals built to copy it. NPIC says imidacloprid, the best-known one, was made to mimic nicotine and has been sold in the U.S. since 1994 1.
The name means “new nicotine-like.” The EPA reviews five main neonics in the U.S.: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. A sixth, thiacloprid, was voluntarily canceled by its registrant 4.
Many neonics are systemic. That means a plant takes them up from the soil or through its leaves and moves them into stems, leaves, fruit and flowers 1. A pest that feeds on the plant gets a dose. So can a bee that visits the flowers.
Neonics are one of the seven chemical classes registered for bed bugs 6, and the EPA lists imidacloprid among common liquid termiticide ingredients 7.
Not the same as nicotine
Neonics act like nicotine on insects, but NPIC explains imidacloprid is more toxic to insects than to people because it binds better to receptors in insect nerve cells 1. They are pesticides, regulated and labeled as such.
How neonicotinoids work
Neonics kill by jamming insect nerve signals. Here is the chain for imidacloprid, based on NPIC.
- Exposure. The insect eats the chemical, touches it or feeds on a plant that has taken it up 1.
- Binding. The chemical attaches to receptors on insect nerve cells. It binds more strongly to insect receptors than to those of mammals 1.
- Signal disruption. The nerve can no longer send a normal signal 1.
- Death. The insect stops feeding and dies.
- Spread through a plant. In systemic uses, the plant carries the chemical to new growth and flowers 1.
- AppliedTo soil, a seed, a trunk or leaves
- Taken upRoots or leaves absorb it
- Moves through the plantInto stems, leaves, fruit and flowers
- Pests feedSucking insects take in the chemical
- Nerves disruptedSignals fail and the insect dies
Because flowers can carry the chemical, labels restrict use around blooming plants and bees. Source: [1]
For termites, Texas A&M groups imidacloprid with the non-repellent liquids. These products do not repel termites, so the insects keep tunneling into treated soil instead of steering around it 9.
The main neonicotinoids and where you meet them
| Active ingredient | EPA docket | Uses named in the sources |
|---|---|---|
| Imidacloprid | EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844 4 | Sucking insects, termites, soil insects, fleas on pets 1 |
| Dinotefuran | EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0920 4 | Restricted for outdoor non-farm use in California 10 |
| Acetamiprid | EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0329 4 | Restricted for outdoor non-farm use in California 10 |
| Clothianidin | EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0865 4 | Seed treatment uses assessed by the EPA 4 |
| Thiamethoxam | EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0581 4 | Seed treatment uses assessed by the EPA 4 |
| Thiacloprid | Closed; case closed November 2014 4 | Voluntarily canceled by the registrant 4 |
UC IPM names two bed bug products that mix a pyrethroid with a neonicotinoid 8. Read more on pyrethroids.
Example: the EPA review timeline for imidacloprid
Registration review is how the EPA re-checks older pesticides. This example traces imidacloprid using the EPA’s own schedule and pollinator pages. It shows how long a review can run.
| Date | Step | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Imidacloprid first sold in the U.S. 1 | The start of wide use |
| 2013 | EPA prohibits use of certain neonics when bees are present 5 | Label limits to protect bees |
| April 2015 | EPA temporarily halts approval of new outdoor neonic uses 5 | No new outdoor uses until bee data are in |
| January 2020 | Proposed interim decision released 4 | Proposed limits, including cancelling spray uses on residential turf 5 |
| June 2022 | Final listed-species biological evaluation 4 | Assessment of effects on endangered species |
| July 2024 | Seed treatment worker exposure assessment 4 | The last milestone listed on the schedule |
| 2025 (planned) | Amended proposed interim decision and interim decision anticipated 4 | We could not confirm either was issued as of October 11, 2026 |
- 5Neonicotinoids under EPA registration reviewEPA
- 1994Year imidacloprid went on sale in the U.S.NPIC
- Jan 1, 2025California limits on outdoor non-farm use took effectCDPR
- 105Products in scope of California’s 2025 non-farm reviewCDPR
Each figure is from the source named in its note. Source: [4] [1] [10] [11]
The lesson for a homeowner: the rules on neonics are still moving. Before you rely on a product, check its current label and your state’s rules.
Where you will see neonicotinoids
On a termite proposal. The EPA lists imidacloprid among common liquid termiticide ingredients 7. See our termite control page.
On pet flea products. NPIC lists fleas on pets among imidacloprid’s uses 1. Our flea and tick page covers home treatment.
In bed bug products. Neonics are one of the seven bed bug classes 6, sometimes mixed with a pyrethroid 8.
In indoor baits. UC ANR notes California’s 2025 law does not affect indoor products such as ant baits 12.
On the label. The ingredient statement names the active ingredient. Compare it with the five names in the table above.
Benefits and concerns
Why pros use them
- More toxic to insects than to people, because they bind better to insect nerve receptors 1.
- Not very toxic to birds and only slightly toxic to fish, varying by species, per NPIC on imidacloprid 1.
- Non-repellent in soil, which helped them perform well in Texas termite tests 9.
- A different class from pyrethroids, useful when bed bugs resist pyrethroids 6.
Limitations
Neonics rarely fix a bed bug problem on their own. The EPA says combining products or switching to an entirely different class can help with resistant bed bugs 6. A full plan often adds heat treatment and monitoring.
For termites, a soil treatment protects only while the chemical remains. Texas A&M tests found registered termiticides last about four to ten years 9. Baits are another route; see termite baiting systems.
Rules limit where they may go. Outdoor uses near blooming plants and bees are restricted on labels, and California limits many outdoor non-farm uses to certified applicators 10.
What drives cost, and how long they last
We give no dollar figures for neonicotinoid treatments until we hold enough sourced, dated quotes.
For termite work, the size of the home, the length of foundation to treat, drilling through slabs and the warranty drive the price more than the chemical.
Texas A&M advises choosing a termite company on service, reputation and warranty rather than on the termiticide it uses 9.
In California, outdoor tree, turf and ornamental uses now need a certified applicator, which turns a store purchase into a service 10.
Persistence varies. NPIC says imidacloprid can last months or years in soil but breaks down quickly in water and sunlight 1. See our termite treatment cost estimator for what drives a quote.
How professionals use them
A licensed company follows the label and state rules. Here is what that looks like.
- Pest confirmed first. The right class depends on the pest and whether it resists other chemicals.
- Label followed. The label sets where and how the product may be used. The EPA advises asking for a copy for termite work 7.
- Bee protections. Since 2013 the EPA has prohibited using certain neonics when bees are present 5.
- State limits. In California, outdoor non-farm use on trees, turf and ornamentals is for certified commercial applicators 10.
- Rotation. For bed bugs, switching chemical class helps against resistance 6.
- Records. Ask for the product name and date on your service ticket.
Pets and exposure
NPIC says animals that swallow enough imidacloprid may have trouble walking, develop tremors or seem overly tired, and some pets have vomited or drooled 1.
Use pet products only on the animal they are labeled for. For a pet, call your vet. A person exposed to an imidacloprid product should call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 in an emergency.
After a treatment: protecting people, pets and pollinators
A few steps keep exposure low and protect helpful insects.
- Keep people and pets off treated areas until the label allows.
- Tell the company about beehives and flowering plants near the work; imidacloprid is very toxic to honeybees 1.
- Do not use outdoor neonic products yourself where state law limits them to certified applicators 10.
- Keep pet flea products on the labeled animal only, and watch pets after the first use.
- Keep the service record, including the active ingredient, for later treatments.
Planting for pollinators?
Ask the nursery whether plants were treated with a systemic insecticide. Systemic neonics move into flowers 1.
Health and environmental risks
People. NPIC reports farm workers exposed to imidacloprid had skin or eye irritation, dizziness, breathlessness, confusion or vomiting. It does not pass through skin easily, and animal studies showed no evidence of cancer 1.
Pets. Swallowing enough can cause tremors, trouble walking and tiredness; some pets vomit, drool or get skin reactions 1.
Bees and helpful insects. Very toxic to honeybees; ladybugs and lacewings on treated plants did worse 1.
Read our pesticide safety guide and the warning signs in pesticide poisoning.
Rules that apply to neonicotinoids
Federal (EPA, FIFRA registration review). The EPA released proposed interim decisions for acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in January 2020. The imidacloprid proposal included cancelling spray uses on residential turf and limits on applications to blooming crops 5.
The EPA’s schedule listed amended proposed interim decisions and interim decisions as anticipated in 2025 4. We could not confirm on October 11, 2026 that these were issued; check the dockets listed above.
Federal bee measures. In 2013 the EPA prohibited use of certain neonics when bees are present, and in April 2015 it temporarily halted approval of new outdoor neonic uses pending bee data 5.
California (DPR). AB 363 (Chapter 836, Statutes of 2023) revised Food and Agricultural Code section 12838.
From January 1, 2025, neonic products for non-agricultural use on outdoor trees, turf or ornamental plants may be sold only by licensed dealers and possessed or used only by certified commercial applicators (DPR Notice 2024-18, September 30, 2024) 10.
UC ANR notes indoor products such as ant baits and veterinary flea and tick products are not affected 12.
States also license applicators; see pest control licensing.
Neonicotinoids vs pyrethroids
| Feature | Neonicotinoids | Pyrethroids |
|---|---|---|
| Modeled on | Nicotine 1 | Pyrethrins from chrysanthemums 2 |
| Nerve target | Insect nerve receptors; disrupts signals 1 | Sodium channels in nerves 3 |
| Systemic in plants | Yes, imidacloprid moves through plants 1 | Not described as systemic in the cited sources |
| Fish | Imidacloprid slightly toxic, varies by species 1 | Bifenthrin highly toxic 2 |
| Bees | Imidacloprid very toxic 1 | Bifenthrin very highly toxic 2 |
| Termite soil behavior | Imidacloprid is non-repellent 9 | Permethrin, cypermethrin and bifenthrin are repellent 9 |
Pros sometimes rotate between these classes, or with an insect growth regulator, to manage resistance.
Common misconceptions
- Myth Neonicotinoids are banned in the U.S.
- Reality They are under EPA review, not banned; California restricts certain outdoor non-farm uses 410.
- Myth California’s law removed all neonic products.
- Reality Indoor products such as ant baits and pet flea products are not affected 12.
- Myth They are as toxic to people as to insects.
- Reality Imidacloprid binds better to insect nerve receptors, so it is more toxic to insects 1.
- Myth They break down fast everywhere.
- Reality Imidacloprid can last months or years in soil, though water and sunlight break it down quickly 1.
- Myth Neonics only harm pest insects.
- Reality Imidacloprid is very toxic to honeybees and affects ladybugs and lacewings 1.
Where your state changes the rules
California is a clear example of a state going beyond federal rules.
Since January 1, 2025, neonic products for non-farm use on outdoor trees, turf and ornamental plants can be sold only by licensed dealers and used only by certified commercial applicators, and consumer imidacloprid soil drenches are no longer allowed 1012.
In June 2025 DPR reported that 105 registered products fall within its review of these non-farm uses 11.
Other states have their own rules, so ask a licensed local company what applies where you live.
When neonicotinoids matter to you
Ask about neonics when a company proposes a termite soil treatment, a bed bug spray or any treatment of trees, shrubs or lawn. Ask which product, why, and how bees and helpful insects will be protected.
If you keep bees, have a pollinator garden or live in California, ask the company how state rules shape what they can use. If you use pet flea products, keep them on the labeled animal.
Compare licensed companies with our guide to choosing a pest control company.
Quick decision guide
If a company proposes a termite liquid, ask whether it is non-repellent and how long it lasts. For trees, lawn or shrubs, ask how bees are protected; in California, only certified applicators may use it. For bed bugs that resist pyrethroids, a neonic can be one part of a rotation, but never the whole plan.
Questions about Neonicotinoids
What are neonicotinoids used for?
Neonicotinoids are insecticides used against sucking insects on plants, termites, soil insects, fleas on pets and bed bugs. NPIC lists these uses for imidacloprid, the best-known neonic. In home pest control you will mostly meet them in termite soil treatments, pet flea products, indoor baits and some bed bug products.
Are neonicotinoids harmful to bees?
Yes, they can be. NPIC says imidacloprid is very toxic to honeybees and other beneficial insects, and many neonics are systemic, moving into a plant’s flowers. The EPA has prohibited use of certain neonics when bees are present since 2013, and California now limits many outdoor non-farm uses to certified applicators.
Are neonicotinoids banned in the United States?
No. The EPA is reviewing five neonics under registration review and proposed new limits in January 2020, but they have not been banned nationally. Its schedule listed final interim decisions for 2025; check the EPA dockets for the latest status. California restricts certain outdoor non-farm uses since January 1, 2025.
Is imidacloprid safe for humans?
Imidacloprid is more toxic to insects than to people because it binds better to insect nerve receptors, NPIC says. It does not pass through skin easily, and animal studies showed no evidence of cancer.
Exposed farm workers reported irritation, dizziness, breathlessness, confusion or vomiting. Use these products only as the label directs, and call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 if someone is exposed.
Are neonicotinoid flea treatments safe for pets?
They are registered for pets when used as labeled on the right animal.
NPIC notes that pets that swallow enough imidacloprid may have trouble walking, tremble or seem tired, and some vomit, drool or get skin reactions.
Use only the product made for your pet’s species and size, and call your vet if you see symptoms.
What does systemic insecticide mean?
A systemic insecticide is taken up by a plant and moved through it. NPIC says imidacloprid is absorbed from the soil or through leaves and spreads into stems, leaves, fruit and flowers. Pests feeding on the plant get a dose, which is why systemic uses near flowering plants raise concern for bees.
How long do neonicotinoids last?
It depends on where they are. NPIC says imidacloprid can last months or years in soil but breaks down quickly in water and sunlight. For termite soil treatments, Texas A&M tests found registered termiticides last about four to ten years. Ask your provider how long the product they use is expected to work.
What changed for neonicotinoids in California in 2025?
From January 1, 2025, under AB 363, neonic products for non-farm use on outdoor trees, turf or ornamental plants can be sold only by licensed dealers and used only by certified commercial applicators.
Consumer imidacloprid soil drenches are no longer allowed. Indoor products like ant baits and pet flea products are not affected, UC ANR says.
What is the difference between neonicotinoids and pyrethroids?
Both act on insect nerves, but in different ways. Neonicotinoids copy nicotine and disrupt nerve signals at receptors, while pyrethroids copy flower-based pyrethrins and act on sodium channels. Many neonics are systemic in plants. In termite soil work, neonics like imidacloprid are non-repellent, while pyrethroids such as permethrin, cypermethrin and bifenthrin repel them.
Sources
- National Pesticide Information Center, Imidacloprid General Fact Sheet, retrieved .
- National Pesticide Information Center, Bifenthrin General Fact Sheet, retrieved .
- National Pesticide Information Center, Permethrin Technical Fact Sheet (archived; last reviewed March 2009), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Schedule for Review of Neonicotinoid Pesticides, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, EPA Actions to Protect Pollinators, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Pesticides to Control Bed Bugs, retrieved .
- U.S. EPA, Termites: How to Identify and Control Them, retrieved .
- UC Statewide IPM Program, Pest Notes: Bed Bugs (Publication 7454), retrieved .
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Frequently Asked Questions About Subterranean Termite Control (ENT-2002), retrieved .
- California DPR, Notice 2024-18: New Law Regarding Neonicotinoid Pesticides for Non-Agricultural Outdoor Use (September 30, 2024), retrieved .
- California DPR, New Report on Non-Agricultural Uses of Neonicotinoid Pesticides (June 27, 2025), retrieved .
- UC ANR, Pests in the Urban Landscape: Neonicotinoid Pesticides Off the Shelf January 2025 (November 5, 2024), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyrePest Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Mode of action, uses and toxicity are from NPIC’s imidacloprid fact sheet.
The review status is from the EPA schedule and pollinator pages as retrieved on 2026-10-11; the schedule’s 2025 targets could not be confirmed as completed and are stated as planned.
California rules are from DPR Notice 2024-18 and UC ANR; the 105-product figure is from DPR’s June 2025 report announcement. Termite behavior is from Texas A&M. No doses, rates or prices are given.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.